The Florida Black Bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) is the only bear species native to Florida. This large mammal is a distinct subspecies of the American Black Bear. Successful management of this species is a significant focus for wildlife officials, given its historical decline and current resurgence.
Identifying Florida’s Native Bear
The Florida Black Bear is distinguishable by its large, robust body and glossy black fur, which occasionally features a brown muzzle. About 30% of the population displays a white patch of fur, known as a blaze, on their chest. These bears are among the largest terrestrial mammals in Florida.
Physical size varies between sexes; adult males average 250 to 350 pounds, while females typically weigh 130 to 180 pounds. They stand approximately 2.5 to 3.5 feet tall at the shoulder and can measure up to six feet in length. This subspecies thrives in a subtropical environment, utilizing diverse habitats from dense swamps to dry scrub lands.
Historical Decline and Modern Recovery
The Florida Black Bear once occupied the entirety of the Florida mainland before European settlement. However, the population declined due to unregulated hunting, persecution, and habitat loss through the mid-20th century. By the 1970s, the species’ range had shrunk dramatically to only 18% of its historic distribution, with the population estimated at a low of 300 to 500 individuals.
In 1974, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) formally classified the Florida Black Bear as a state-designated Threatened Species. This official status initiated decades of conservation efforts aimed at habitat preservation and stricter management. The success of these measures led to a significant rebound, resulting in the species being officially reclassified as “Recovered” in 2012, with the population now estimated to exceed 4,000 bears.
Current Habitats and Distribution
Today, the bear’s range has expanded to encompass about 45% to 49% of its historic territory, though this distribution remains fragmented. Bears are primarily found in large, protected forested areas that provide the diverse resources they require for food, water, and cover. These core habitats include public lands like the Ocala National Forest, Apalachicola National Forest, and the Big Cypress National Preserve.
The subspecies prefers habitats that offer dense understory for cover, such as forested wetlands, oak scrub, and pine flatwoods. The population is managed within distinct Bear Management Units (BMUs) that reflect these geographically separate subpopulations. Habitat fragmentation caused by human development remains a challenge, limiting genetic exchange and increasing the risk of vehicle collisions for bears traveling between isolated patches.
Managing Human-Bear Interactions
As the bear population recovers and its range expands, human-bear conflicts have become a frequent issue, particularly in the wildland-urban interface. The most common cause for bears entering residential areas is the availability of unsecured food sources. When bears find easy meals, such as garbage, pet food, or bird seed, they quickly become habituated to human environments, losing their natural wariness.
Securing attractants is the primary step residents can take to prevent these interactions. This includes storing trash in bear-resistant containers or secured structures like a garage until the morning of pickup. If a bear is encountered, the recommended action is to make loud noises, such as yelling or using a car horn, to reinforce the bear’s natural fear of humans and encourage it to leave the area. Allowing a bear to become dependent on human-sourced food often results in the bear being euthanized to prevent further conflict, which is why the message “a fed bear is a dead bear” is commonly used in outreach programs.